A Line or Two by Don Glynn Click on photo for larger image

Clinton book had local residents waiting in line
Column by Don Glynn
Thursday, June 24, 2026

With all the hype about Bill Clinton’s book, it was hardly a surprise that people were waiting in lines Tuesday morning at area bookstores.

“There were about 20 people out front before we opened at 9 o’clock,” said Rich Inserra, a manager at the Barnes & Noble store on Niagara Falls Boulevard, Amherst.

“My Life” (Knopf, 957 pages, $35), which traces Clinton’s life from his childhood in Arkansas through his presidency, is bound for the best-sellers list. Advance orders topped two million.

“Our phone calls and walk-in traffic was heavy during the day,” Inserra said. He explained that while the store had plenty of copies for sale, he was prevented from discussing any specific sales figures.

Local store managers were delighted to learn that Clinton was helping boost first-day sales as a guest on the “Oprah Winfrey Show.”

“It’s been selling well,” said Sue DeAeth, general manager of the Media Play store in the Mil-Pine Plaza, Military Road and Niagara Falls Boulevard.

Anticipating an early rush, DeAeth said she was ready to open the doors a little earlier than usual. As it turned out, there was no line but many of the customers who showed up a short time later went directly to the Clinton book.

“I hope it keeps up,” she said, referring to the brisk sales.

Naturally, some of Clinton’s political opponents are ready to fire off caustic comments about the book.

Joe Lockhardt, Clinton’s ex-press secretary, said the marketing of the book was masterful. He also called Clinton a brilliant man.

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OFF & RUNNING: Now that the state lawmakers have failed to pass a budget on time for the 20th consecutive year, they will be leaving for their summer break and a chance to campaign.

Some longtime reporters who cover the political scene in Albany contend this may be one of the worst performances by state government in decades.

We’ve all learned how little clout our own lawmakers actually have in the process. After all, the system is run by three men in a room, Gov. Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

To compound matters and make things even worse for the taxpayers, it is common knowledge that the three really don’t trust each other.

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WHO’S WATCHING? It seems that many school districts across the Empire State continue to operate without anyone from Albany looking over their shoulder, especially at the financial statements.

At last count from Capitol Hill, 47 of 700 school districts have been audited by the state comptroller’s office since 1999.

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A HOT SPOT: Table Rock House near the edge of the Horseshoe Falls — the counterpart to Terrapin Point on the American side of the river — is one of the biggest revenue sources for the Niagara Parks Commission in Ontario.

It generates more than 50 percent of all the agency revenues from attractions, food, retail sales, and parking fees, according to a commission official. By the way, a study showed that half of the 40,000 visitors there per day — in the prime season — stay for less than half an hour.

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HOST FOR TOURNEY: Crews are scurrying to build bleachers and corporate boxes for the 2004 Canadian Women’s Open at the Legends on the Niagara complex near Chippawa, Ont. The LPGA event will tee off in less than two weeks. The course will remain open to the public until July 3.
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